Mental health disorders have the potential to affect many aspects of a person’s life, including how they think, feel and connect with the people around them. When a mental health condition goes untreated, it can disrupt a person’s relationships, physical health and overall well-being.
At Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health in Council Bluffs, Iowa, we recognize the negative ways mental health concerns can impact a person’s life, which is why we are dedicated to providing comprehensive inpatient mental health treatment for adults age 18 and older. In the near future, we will also provide tailored inpatient mental healthcare specifically for children and adolescents.
Our team meets each patient where they are and walks alongside them on the path to healing.
Signs & Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders
Mental health disorders cover a wide range of conditions, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Psychosis
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Mental health disorders range in type and severity and can manifest in many different ways, so the symptoms you experience may be very different from someone else’s. However, there are some common mental health disorder signs and symptoms to watch out for.
Emotional and cognitive symptoms
- Excessive feelings of fear, worry or dread
- Feeling overly sad or down
- Feeling helpless and hopeless
- Periods of elevated or irritable mood
- Emotional reactions that feel out of proportion to the situation
- Feeling numb, detached or disconnected from yourself or your surroundings
- Pervasive feelings of guilt, shame or worthlessness
- Trouble concentrating, remembering details or making decisions
- Intrusive, unwanted or disturbing thoughts
- Disorganized or confused thinking
- Racing thoughts
- Pressured speech
- Impaired judgment or impulsivity
- Hearing things others do not hear
- Seeing things others do not see
- Delusions
- Paranoia
Behavioral symptoms
- Avoiding friends and socializing
- Loss of interest in things that used to bring pleasure
- Changes in eating habits or weight
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Reduced energy, motivation or drive
- Repetitive, ritualistic or compulsive behaviors
- Self-harm
- Increased use of drugs or alcohol
- Neglecting hygiene and basic self-care
- Sudden, dramatic shifts in behavior or speech
- Engaging in violence
Unfortunately, suffering from a mental health disorder can also impact a person’s physical health. Examples of physical symptoms that could indicate that someone is suffering from a mental health condition include:
- Frequent headaches
- Unexplained, chronic physical pain
- Unexplained or persistent fatigue
- Stomach issues or other gastrointestinal problems
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder, it is important to receive professional help as soon as possible.
Causes of & Risk Factors for Mental Health Disorders
While there is no one identifiable cause of mental health disorders, there are some risk factors you can be aware of.
Examples of factors that have the potential to increase a person’s risk for developing a mental health disorder include:
- Exposure to drugs, alcohol or toxins before birth
- Family history of mental health conditions
- Brain injury
- Certain medical conditions
- Drug and alcohol use
- Unstable relationships
- Family turmoil
- Childhood abuse and neglect
- Loss of a loved one
- Traumatic or adverse life events
It is important to note that being exposed to any of these factors does not automatically mean that a person will develop symptoms of a mental health disorder; rather, they are circumstances researchers have noted can increase a person’s risk.
Effects of Untreated Mental Health Disorders
When someone is suffering from a mental health disorder and does not receive treatment, they are at risk for experiencing any number of negative effects. These effects can range from short-term challenges to long-term consequences.
Common effects someone who is suffering from a mental health disorder can experience include:
- Long stretches of unemployment
- Difficulty in school
- Financial hardship
- Homelessness
- Strained or broken relationships with family and friends
- Developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol
- Legal trouble
- Weakened immune system
- Heart disease
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
The encouraging news is that mental health disorders are highly treatable. When you receive professional care at a hospital like Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health in Council Bluffs, healing is possible.
Benefits of Receiving Mental Health Disorder Treatment
While the thought of seeking mental health treatment may seem intimidating, it is worth it. Decades of clinical research shows that treatment can help a person learn to manage their symptoms and greatly improve their overall quality of life.
Benefits of receiving mental health disorder treatment can include:
- Reduced severity and frequency of symptoms
- Better functioning at home, at work or in school
- Improvements in physical health
- Healthier relationships with loved ones
- Reconnection with social groups
- Renewed sense of hope and purpose
Learn About Mental Health Disorder Treatment at Our Hospital
At Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health in Council Bluffs, Iowa, we provide patient-centered care that is designed to meet each person’s unique needs. Our inpatient treatment program consists of several units so that we can provide age-specific care for the following populations:
- Children and adolescents ages 5-17 (coming soon)
- Adults ages 18-64
- Senior adults age 65 and older
Our hospital is designed to provide safe, structured and clinically effective mental health treatment. Our 96-bed facility includes semiprivate rooms that are carefully managed to ensure that patients are appropriately placed in a space where they feel comfortable, including gender-based assignments when necessary.
Treatment at our Council Bluffs hospital is highly structured and is delivered in a therapeutic setting. Features of our inpatient program include:
- Daily group therapy sessions
- Individual psychiatric evaluations
- Medication management services
- Multidisciplinary care teams
- Discharge planning that begins at the time of admission, ensuring continuity of care and connection with outpatient resources
Get Help in Council Bluffs Today
If you or someone you love is showing signs of a mental health disorder, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our admissions team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and no appointment is needed for an assessment.
There is no reason to keep suffering. Compassionate, expert care is available.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health.
